Angela steps in again. “Honey, this wedding is the most anticipated wedding of the year. You’d be silly to turn this down. No offense.”
They’re both right. My team had been prepared to chase this story down and fight for the exclusive. But now it was being personally handed to us by the mother of the bride herself.
It was a no-brainer.
Yes!
Of course I’d take the offer. But presenting it to me with Carina shooting daggers was a little nerve-racking. Did she even want my magazine to cover her wedding? Or was Collette forcing this on her?
“I don’t know what to say,” I admit, with a disbelieving laugh.
Collette spears another veggie with her fork and then points it at me. “Say yes! Because I won’t take no for an answer. We can get together tomorrow and elaborate more on the concept. I want this to read like something timeless and not a generic puff piece.”
“Of course. And thank you,” I tell her, because I don’t know what else to say. “Truly. This means a lot.”
I’m bursting with joy on the inside. Ready to scream and cry at the same time, but I keep myself together. Othello leans over and whispers in my ear, “Congrats.”
“Thank you,” I whisper back.
When I look at Carina, she’s giving me a look so cold, I almost feel a chill.
21
dress code
MARLEY
“There you are!I thought you’d skipped out on us.”
Carina’s voice cuts through my thoughts. Dinner ended a few minutes ago, and my brief escape to the bathroom to be alone and process everything that just happened has clearly come to an end.
“No, I’m here,” I say, placing the cap on my lipstick and stuffing it into my clutch.
She joins me at the counter lined with sinks, retrieving her own lipstick from her purse. She glides the pomegranate shade across her mouth and then presses them together.
“I love this color,” she says with a mock grin. “And I love that you agreed to work with my mom.”
I run the water and work a pump of soap between my hands. “Well, I couldn’t pass up the chance. Areyouokay with that?” I ask her.
Carina catches my eye through the mirror as she smooths a hand over her already perfectly slicked-back ponytail. “It’s reallynot up to me now. Once my mom’s mind is made up, there’s really no changing it.”
“Ah,” is the only thing I can manage to say as I rinse my hands and reach for a paper towel.
“So, I guess you’re stuck with us tonight.”
My face screws in confusion.
“The boys went to the Cove.”
I do my best to hide my disappointment. He’s already breaking rules. Rule number two was very clear: Do not leave me alone with these women.
“You aren’t the jealous type, are you? Like, Ozzy’s ok to go out to clubs without you.”
“Yeah, of course,” I tell her, forcing a smile.
“Perfect. Then you’re coming out with us.”
“Us?”
